Freedom does not come easy, and the price of it can often be steep. As a young advocate for social and political justice who grew up in South Africa, a nation that has seen its fair share of racial injustice and apartheid, I understand this all too well. It took the power of international solidarity to bring down the oppressive apartheid regime in my home country. Today, I see that same struggle in the story of Jesús Armas.

My fellow McCain Global Leader Jesús Armas has been captured and detained in Venezuela by the Maduro regime. I stand in solidarity with Jesús—a tireless advocate for freedom and democracy—and will continue to advocate for his release. 

Jesús Armas is a beacon of hope in Venezuela, voicing out for human rights amid a nation grappling with stringent restrictions on these essential liberties. Unfortunately, his impassioned advocacy has led to his unjust imprisonment, devoid of fair trial or due process. 

In a report released by the United Nations (UN) in 2020, the Venezuelan government has been accused of authoritarian tactics and gross human rights abuses implicating 8,292 extra-judicial executions and 343 cases of torture between 2012 and 2020. Trustworthy sources suggest that Jesús Armas is one of these innocent victims.

By demanding the immediate release of Jesús Armas, we stand for the universal human rights principles that every being is entitled to. Today, it is his freedom at stake, tomorrow it could be ours. For freedom and justice to prevail, we must act in solidarity. Fight for Jesús Armas; sign this petition. Together, we can join the chorus of voices singing for his release, and for human rights in Venezuela. A call for release is a call for justice. Sign this petition today.